Following Madam Yuan's instructions, Granny Wu's men found several servants from the Ji household to inquire, and the answers they received were exactly the same.
The matriarch was completely relieved and continued to chant sutras in the Buddhist hall every day, seemingly no different from before.
Jiang Wan discovered that the guards inside and outside Luhe Hall were even stricter, and even Zhou Shi, who was pretending to be crazy, couldn't get in.
Many of the servants and maids in the courtyard were cleared out, leaving only a group of elderly people whom the matriarch trusted most.
It seemed to be gathering momentum, brewing something.
The only outsider who can enter Luhetang now is Aunt Ru.
The child born to Aunt Ru was fair-skinned and adorable, and the matriarch of the Yuan family liked him very much, naming him Song Zhao.
She regarded this child as the future hope of the General's Mansion.
Every one or two days, the wet nurse would take him to Luhetang, and his attitude towards Aunt Ru became much more affectionate.
On this day, Madam Sun and Madam Shang came to visit Jiang Wan and went together to Aunt Ru's courtyard.
The group was sitting inside drinking tea when the wet nurse returned carrying Song Zhao, along with a heavy brocade pouch.
"These are a pair of gold bracelets that the old lady made for the young master, to bless him so that he can grow up safely."
The wet nurse smiled and took out a pair of bracelets from her brocade pouch.
The gold bracelet is small and exquisite, carved with auspicious clouds, and is quite valuable.
Aunt Ru nodded and told her to take Song Zhao downstairs to breastfeed.
"The old lady has high hopes for A-Zhao," Jiang Wan said with a smile.
When Aunt Ru was pregnant with this child, she had ulterior motives; she wanted to rely on her bloodline to gain a foothold in the General's Mansion.
Now, when he looks at Song Zhaoshi, there is only tenderness in his eyes.
“I know what the old lady is planning,” said Aunt Ru.
She had heard about Song Lin's situation.
He was incredibly audacious enough to poison the old lady. Even if Song Ziyu returned to the mansion, he would not be forgiven, and there would be no place for him in the General's Mansion.
Song Yu only recognized Jiang Wan, which made him a thorn in the side of Madam Yuan.
The only child that the matriarch could cultivate, win over, and take into her service was Song Zhao.
However, reality may not be as she wishes.
“Zhao’er is still young, what can he accomplish? I only hope that Young Master Yu can take care of his younger brother.” Aunt Ru looked at Jiang Wan: “I only wish Zhao’er to be healthy and well, I have no other thoughts.”
Madam Sun stroked her belly and nodded, "All mothers in the world are like this."
She had just been released from confinement the day before yesterday. Two months pregnant, she wasn't showing yet, but her face was full of the joy of becoming a mother for the first time.
"Autumn is approaching, and the family will be hosting a chrysanthemum banquet next month. You'll be out of confinement by then, so come and join the fun."
Mrs. Sun smiled warmly.
Today, as soon as she and Madam Shang arrived at Xingzhi Courtyard, Jiang Wan brought them here, clearly intending to elevate Aunt Ru.
She genuinely likes Jiang Wan and wouldn't mind doing her a favor.
Madam Shang also looked at Aunt Ru: "That's right, we'll be making autumn clothes soon. I recently acquired a few bolts of shimmering brocade, the pattern of which suits you very well. I'll have someone send them over later."
Aunt Ru was overjoyed and quickly thanked them.
As a concubine of lowly status, and having been a dancer, she had no right to attend the banquet at the Minister's residence or wear such luxurious brocade.
She knew that Jiang Wan was doing this to save face for her, and also for Song Zhao's future, so she was even more grateful.
As the three drank tea, Madam Shang began to recount some interesting events in the capital: "Speaking of which, have you heard about Miss Guo's affair?"
“Miss Guo?” Madam Sun asked. “Didn’t you say she was chosen to be the Crown Princess? I met her once, and she seemed very gentle and refined.”
"Still gentle and refined?" Madam Shang scoffed.
"You didn't see how she made things difficult for Sister Jiang on Grand Secretary Guo's birthday! But she got her comeuppance; I heard her father was demoted and transferred to another place."
Jiang Wan looked up: "How come I haven't heard of this?"
Madam Shang said, "It's not something to be proud of, so why make a big fuss about it? Besides, it was His Highness the Crown Prince who personally gave the order, so who would dare to say anything?"
Jiang Wan nodded and took a sip of tea.
Madam Sun sighed, "The Crown Prince is indeed as rumored; he has no romantic feelings whatsoever, unlike the Third Prince, who, although a few years younger, is already settling down in marriage."
“The other day I heard my husband say that Consort Yun asked the daughter of the Censor of the Censorate for help, and His Majesty agreed.”
Jiang Wan was surprised.
After not seeing him for a few days, Pei Xi is actually engaged?
Lady Shang also exclaimed in surprise, "I've heard that the daughter of Imperial Censor Xu is notoriously violent and arrogant. How could she possibly be worthy of being a prince's consort?"
"The Third Prince was extremely unwilling, but he couldn't go against Consort Yun's wishes," Madam Sun whispered. "I heard that the Third Prince refused the engagement and is currently on a diet in the palace."
Jiang Wan lowered her eyes.
The Censor of the Censorate wielded real power, and the fact that Consort Yun chose this marriage for him reveals her ambition.
Despite his simple-minded nature, Pei Xi eventually became embroiled in the power struggle.
In the afternoon, Sun and Shang left together.
Jiang Wan was about to return to Xingzhi Courtyard when Aunt Ru stopped her.
"Madam, Lu Hetang has been frequently taking Zhao'er to him lately, and I'm a little worried..."
"If you have concerns, just find a reason to refuse."
Jiang Wan said in a low voice.
"However, in my opinion, the matriarch will not harm Zhao'er for the time being, and in a few days, I may need to ask you for a favor."
Aunt Ru glanced at her and nodded: "Alright, everything will be arranged by Madam."
She gestured to the maid behind her, who brought out a box.
"That day I had a difficult childbirth, and thanks to His Highness the Crown Prince who invited the head physician, I was able to give birth to Zhao'er smoothly. I have no way to repay you. I recently heard that Her Majesty the Empress has caught a cold. I sewed this cloak myself using the finest fox fur from the storeroom. Please give it to Her Majesty as a token of my gratitude."
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